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I'm disappointed that the Eagle has not offered any follow-up articles on this very important matter. Surely, members of our City Council have opinions on "orders" Mr. Riviere gave city staff to report to Collier County for duty in the future. The May 25th issue of the Eagle stated, "Marco Island City Manager Jim Riviere met with staff and explained a new collaboration he worked out with Collier County's building department. The island's four inspectors will become county employees working with a pooled staff that serves all of Collier County."

The article also stated, "Riviere said before his time as city manager, Community Development Director Steve Olmsted promised to cross-train inspectors rather than compartmentalize them into their respective fields. Riviere said he didn't make good on that promise. Olmsted was fired one week after Riviere became city manager." If the quote accurately portrays Mr. Riviere's position then hasn't he failed too? Mr. Olmsted was fired 2-years ago. Why hasn't Mr. Riviere insured the cross training occurred on his watch? He has had two years to complete that cross training, hasn't he? Wasn't that his goal?

I truly believe Mr. Riviere is set on dissolving City government step by step, inch by inch, department by department. That is where the due process comes in. Mr. Riviere is responsible for seeing that major decisions, like the one he already made, is presented in public forums so the public can be part of the "due process".

Steve Thompson was appropriately reprimanded and ultimately terminated when he failed to be transparent with the public and City Council. How is it that Mr. Riviere isn't required to meet the same performance standard? It is evident to many who work periodically or frequently with City Hall that he leads with his ego and rational process comes later. The morale at City Hall for many staffers is low because they fear Riviere and his next "collaboration" where he intentionally excludes Marco Islanders, the people he works for, from the table.

Again, I believe Marco Island deserves a City Manager who can competently lead our city; someone who can "build" our community into the happy and friendly place community it once was.